IC card system

ABSTRACT

The data representing the ability and function of the hardware of an IC card as prestored in the IC card is read out from the IC card in response to a reset signal applied from a card terminal. The read out data is stored in the card terminal via a connection terminal. In this card terminal, the operating conditions inside the card terminal are variably set according to the stored data, whereby the compatibility of the IC card with the card terminal is enhanced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to IC card systems using IC cards containingintegrated circuits and card terminals which act together to performtransactions.

The recent years have been called the "cashless era," by using "plasticmoney" issued by credit companies, oil companies, department stores,etc., the purchase of goods without any handling of cash has beenpossible. Up to now, plastic cards, embossed cards, and magnetic stripecards have generally been used, but these cards are easy to forge, andtheir misuse has been problematic. To solve this problem, an IC circuitin which a personal identification number is stored is provided withinthe card, and it has been specifically developed because that personalidentification number cannot be easily read from the IC card. This ICcard is advantageous in that it is difficult to duplicate, its secrecymaintenance capability is excellent, and it can store a great amount ofdata. Since the personal identification number is input directly by thecard user, other persons, for example, a bank clerk, cannot find out thepersonal identification number. In this respect, the card has a veryhigh security factor.

However, since the physical shape and dimensions, and connectionterminals of such an IC card are standardized by the I.S.O., it ispossible that cards even with many different kinds of internal circuitconfigurations may be connected to the same card terminal. However,since the circuit configurations or the performance of component devicesof the cards will differ, the operating conditions will naturally alsodiffer. Therefore, in the case of a terminal of the type which suppliespower to the card when it is coupled with the card, it is necessary toset the operating energy level according to the operating conditions ofeach card in order to obtain the maximum operatability from each card.Especially, the cards developed lately have ever increasinghigh-performance capabilities due to progressive engineering. Aconfiguration of the terminal which can perform an immediate exchange ofdata from either new high-performance cards or older cards will benecessary.

One example of a high performance capability in an IC card is theimprovements in data writing and storage of important personalidentification numbers. In this case, on the terminal side, variationsin the data write voltages and current tolerances in the improved ICcards that are issued must be coped with.

In addition to the write voltage and current for the memory in the ICcard, items to be considered for obtaining compatibility with theterminal are things such as: the maximum data transmission capacity ofthe IC card, the signal response time from an instant that the IC cardreceives a signal till it transmits a response signal, and anapplication time of the write voltage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an IC card systemwhich can expand the compatibility of functions of the hardware in ICcards with a card terminal, and allows various types of card terminalsto be compatible with many types of IC cards.

According to this invention, there is provided an IC card system havingan IC card and a card terminal used in combination with the card. Thecard includes a means for storing data representing the capability ofthe hardware of the IC card per se, means for sending the stored data tothe terminal in response to an initializing signal, and a connectionterminal for electrically connecting the card to the card terminal. Thecard terminal includes means for storing the data as sent from the ICcard to the card terminal, means for variably setting the internaloperating conditions of the card terminal corresponding to the datastored therein, and a terminal connected to the connection terminal ofthe IC card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating a sequence of manufacturing andissuing of IC cards, and registration of personal identification numbers(PINs) in an IC card system according to one embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a external view of the IC card and the card terminal in theIC card system;

FIG. 2A shows a cross sectional view of the IC card receiving section inthe card terminal;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an internal circuit of the IC card;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show, in combination, a block diagram of an internalcircuit of the card terminal;

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a flow of the overall operation ofthe IC card system;

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show, in combination, a flowchart of the overalloperation of the IC card system, using comparatively the operations ofcard terminal and the IC card;

FIG. 7 shows a diagram illustrating a configuration of answer-to-resetdata stored in the IC card;

FIG. 8 shows a diagram illustrating the code contents of an initial bytein FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a diagram illustrating the code contents of a format byteT0 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 shows a diagram illustrating the code contents of an interfacebyte TA1 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 shows a diagram illustrating the code contents of an interfacebyte TB1 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 shows a diagram illustrating the code contents of an interfacebyte TC1 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 shows a diagram illustrating the code contents of an interfacebyte TDn in FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 shows a diagram illustrating the code contents of an interfacebyte TA2 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 shows a diagram illustrating the code contents of an interfacebyte TB2 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 16 shows a diagram illustrating the code contents of an interfacebyte TC2 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 17 shows a data format when the terminal code (TC) stored insidethe card terminal is sent to the IC card;

FIG. 18 shows a data format when the card application name (APN) and thecard status data (ST) stored in the IC card is sent to the terminal;

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart illustrating a card classificationdiscriminating operation which is executed, using a card classificationcode as sent from the IC card, in the terminal side;

FIG. 20 shows a flowchart illustrating a terminal command checkingoperation which is executed in the IC card side, using a terminal codeand a terminal command code as sent from the card terminal;

FIG. 21 shows a table illustrating relationships between the terminalcode and the terminal command code in the terminal command checkingoperation;

FIG. 22 shows a flowchart illustrating a card status registrationfunction in the IC card system; and

FIG. 23 shows a diagram illustrating the code contents of the cardstatus data (ST) stored in the IC card.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, there is shown a flow of the IC cardand the card identification data in which the IC card is manufacturedand then given to an issuer, for example a bank, the card is then issuedto a card owner. The IC card manufacturer produces IC card 11, and cardterminals 12, 22, 32, and 41.

The card manufacturer, after producing IC card 11, writes apredetermined code into the card 11 by using IC card manufacturingterminal 12. As will be described in detail later, this IC card 11contains an internal IC circuit and is provided with connector orconnection terminals 11a on the surface of its case. When the card 11 isinserted in IC card manufacturing terminal 12, this connection terminals11a make contact with the internal circuits of terminal 12. The cardmanufacturing terminal 12 contains card insertion slot 13, keyboard 14display panel 15, and printer section 16. With data input from keyboard14 by an operator, the different kinds of codes, such as CA, PMK, andPRK, are written into IC card 11. The CA (Card Authenticator) is of arandom 64-bit code and is used in the encryption and decryption ofmessages. PMK (Production Master Key) is a manufacturing number code,and the same PMK is used on all IC cards of one group, such as one lotunit, and is kept secret even in the factory. PRK (Private Key) is adecryption code, which, as will be explained later, corresponds on a oneto one basis to the Public Key code, or encryption code which is writteninto the card terminal. When a given code is written into the IC card bythe IC card issuing terminal 12, the PMK only is printed on a securitycode printing paper 17 by printer section 16. Then, the manufacturerseals the IC card 11 and the security code paper 17 in the same envelopeor in different envelopes, and mails them to the issuer. When IC card 11and paper 17 are sealed in the same envelope, this envelope should besent via a security mail such as a registered mail. The issuer insertsthe IC card 11 as he received from the manufacturer into IC card issuingterminal 22, then reads out the recorded PMK code on the security codepaper 17, and inputs the corresponding PMK code into IC card issuingterminal 22. Also, the issuer inputs the primary account number (PAN)and IPIN (initialization personal identification number) for the IC card11, into IC card issuing terminal 22. This IPIN is, for example, a 6-bitrandom code which is used as an identification number until a personalidentification number PIN is used. IC card issuing terminal 22, like ICcard manufacturing terminal 12, is provided with card insertion slot 23,keyboard 24, display panel 25, and printer section 26. The PMK codewhich has been written into IC card 11, and the PMK code input fromkeyboard 24 are compared for coincidence, and only if both codescoincide with each other, the account number PAN is written into IC card11, and the input IPIN is printed on the security code paper 27. Then,the issuer places the IC card with the PAN as written and the securitycode paper with the printed IPIN in the same envelope or in separateenvelopes, and sends them to the card user. When the card user receivesthe IC card 11 and the security code paper 27 from the issuer, he or shegoes to the card issuing point, inserts his or her card into the IC carduser terminal 32, which is installed there, and then reads the recordedcontents from the security code paper 27 he or she received from theissuer, and code inputs them into IC card user terminal 32. The cardreceiver also inputs the personal identification number (PIN) of his orher choice into IC card user terminal 32. IC card user terminal 32, likethe IC card issuing terminal 22, is equipped with card insertion slot33, keyboard 34, display panel 35, and printer section 36. The IPINwritten in IC card 11 and the IPIN input from keyboard 34 are comparedfor identification, and only if they coincide, the above-mentioned PINis written into IC card 11. As a result of the above procedure, theissuing of this IC card 11 is complete, and card 11 can now be put toactual use. Beyond this step, further details are referred to in U.S.Ser. No. 645,925 filed Aug. 30th, 1984. No further explanation will begiven here.

EXTERNAL VIEW AND MOUNTING OF THE TERMINAL

FIG. 2 shows the outer appearance of a card terminal device 41 used forIC cards 11, which may be installed in a store, for example, when theterminal device for IC cards is realized according to this invention.This card terminal 41 is composed of card insertion slot 42, keyboard43, and display section 44. FIG. 2A shows the card receiving section 42acorresponding to card insertion slot 42, which is inside terminal 41.This card receiving section 42a uses card insertion detector section42b, card-lock/detector 42c, and card connection/detector 42d. Cardinsertion detector 42b contains a microswitch for detecting whether ornot IC card is inserted into card insertion slot. Card-lock detector42c, containing a sensor (not shown) and a solenoid, reliably locks theinserted card 11, and senses the locked state by means of a sensor. Cardconnection/detector 42d, containing a solenoid, detects if contact probe41a of terminal 41 is reliably in contact with connector (connectionterminal) 11a provided on the reverse side of card IC card 11. Thekeyboard 43 uses numerical keys 45, yes key 46, and no key 47. Theinternal circuits of this card terminal 41 will be explained in detaillater.

IC Card Circuit Configuration

The configuration of the internal IC circuits of the IC card 11 will bedescribed referring to FIG. 3.

In the figure, system bus 51 is shown. Data ROM 52, application ROM 53,system program ROM 54, working RAM 55, system controller 56, decryptionarithmetic unit 57, and read/write controller 58 are all connected tosystem bus 51. Input controller 60 is connected to this bus via inputbuffer 59, and output controller 62 is connected to this bus 51 viaoutput buffer 61. Data input/output terminal I/O is connected to inputcontroller 60 and output controller 62.

The above-mentioned ROM 52 stores all the operating conditionspertaining to the card 11 itself, such as data write applied voltage,its current tolerance value and maximum application time, maximum datatransmission capacity, and maximum response waiting time. When theinitialization of the card itself is finished, this condition data, inconformance with a preset format, is sent to the terminal 41 side as"answer-to-reset" data. The above application ROM 53 stores cardclassification data APN (application name), which shows theclassification of this card 11. The card classifiation data is put intoa specified format and sent out when the attribute exchange occurs withterminal 41, after initial parameters have been set in accordance withthe answer-to-reset data. System program ROM 54 contains (besides everykind of system program) ACK and NAC codes, which show if the signaltransmitted from terminal 41 is correct or not. System controller 56 hasan internal decision area, and outputs operating commands to relatedcircuits in accordance with the data receive signal transmitted viainput buffer 59 and operation status. Decryption arithmetic unit 57performs decryption in accordance with RSA algorithm, and it decryptsinput data supplied from the terminal 41 side via input buffer 59, bymeans of the decryption key code (issuer's private key) stored in keycode memory ROM 57a, and outputs it to comparator 63. The comparatoroutput of this secret information comparator 63 is supplied to systemcontrol line 56a of system controller 56. This system control line 56ais connected to flag 64, which operates in accordance with thecomparison results from the comparator 63. Read/write controller 58controls the write-in or read-out of data relating to data memory 65 inaccordance with the commands from system controller 56. The memory dataread out by this read/write controller 58 is output to comparator 63,system bus 51, or card status buffer 66. EEP-ROM, for example, is usedfor this data memory 65. The codes CA, IPIN, PAN, CHN, EPD, PRK, andRTN, and status data ST are written into this memory area. The CHN is anabbreviation of "card holder's name". EPD is an abbreviation of"expiration date". RTN is the number of times that re-entry has beenperformed when incorrect data was input. Also, ST shows the currentstatus of card 11. For example, if the manufacturing process of thiscard has been completed, manufacturing process data is written in, andeven if the card has been issued, and the PIN has not been entered, PINnot entered data is written in. The card status data ST, is arranged inthe same format as the card classification data APN as stored inapplication ROM 53, and sent to the terminal 41 side. The above datamemory 65 is not limited to use with EEP-ROM, but as an alternative, mayalso use EP-RO, for example.

The system controller 56 is connected to timer 67. This timer 67 countsa predetermined time during normal data exchange processing when a startdata write voltage supply message is output by card terminal 41. Duringthe count operation of this timer 67, if a positive response signal ACKis not supplied from terminal 41, system controller 56 will stop thedata input/output for this card 11. Address comparator 68 is connectedto the bus line which connects read/write controller 58 and system busline 51. This address comparator 68 always compares the unused specificaddress entered in fixed address unit 69 at the end of the testfollowing completion of manufacture, and the specific address specifiedvia system bus 51. The result of the comparison by comparator 68 issupplied to read/write controller 58. In this way, only when thecomparing output is the address coincident signal due to injustice useof the terminal, it clears all of the data in data memory 65, therebypreventing secret data from being read out of the card. In a situationthat the IC card 11 is coupled with card terminal 41, terminal suppliesa reset signal RESET and a system clock signal clock through connector(connection terminal) to the IC card. Vcc and Vpp power supplies arealso supplied to it. Vcc power source is a system drive power source,and Vpp power supply is used for the data writing to data memory 65. Itpower voltage is set up by terminal side on the basis of the answer toreset data as stored in data ROM 52. The system operation signal basedon system clock is supplied through frequency divider 70.

Terminal Circuit Configuration

A circuit configuration of card terminal 41 will be given referring toFIGS. 4A, 4B.

In the figure, system bus 71 is coupled with sound controller 72,working RAM 73, system program ROM 74, terminal attribute ROM 75,initial parameter RAM 76, main controller 77, display drive controller78, key controller 79, read/write controller 80, comparator 81,encrypting arithmetic unit 82 based on "RSA" algorithm, latch circuit 83for latching "CA", encrypting arithmetic unit 84 of the DES system basedon data encryption standard, descrypting arithmetic unit 85 of DESsystem, input output (I/O) controller 86, and output buffer 88 throughoutput controller 87, and input controller 90 through input buffer 89.

Sound controller 72 is coupled with speaker 91 for sounding an alarm ifsuch a situation occurs. The memory area of working RAM 73 stores "PAN","CHN", and "EPD" as sent from IC card 11, and further various types ofdata processed in terminal 41. System program ROM 74 contains varioustypes of system programs, and "ENQ (enquiry)" code for taking matchingto IC card 11. Terminal attribute ROM 75 stores terminal code "TC"(manufacturing code, issuing code, shop code, etc.), according to theuse of the terminal. Terminal code "TC" is transmitted in apredetermined format, after the setting of the initial parametersaccording to the answer-to-reset data from code 11, and when anattribute exchange with the code 11 side is performed. Then, theanswer-to-reset data from the IC card 11 side is stored in its entiretyby initial parameter RAM 76. This initial RAM 76 is connected to outputcontroller 87, input controller 90, Vpp level latch unit 92, Vpp timerlatch unit 93, and Ipp level latch unit 94 via initial data transmissionline 76a. Also, each latch unit is connected to its corresponding Vpppower supply 95, Vpp timer 96, or Ipp limiter 97. The output of the Vpppower supply is connected to the Vpp output terminals by way of Vpptimer 96 and Ipp limiter 97 successively. The maximum data transmissioncapacity of card 11, which is controlled by main controller 77, the carddata maximum write voltage by Vpp power supply 95, the write voltagesupply time by Vpp timer 96, and the card data maximum write current byIpp limiter 97 are all set by the answer-to-reset data as all set ininitial parameter RAM 76.

IC card operating frequency selector 98 is connected to the datatransmission line 76a. The oscillating signal from oscillator 99 issupplied to this selector 98 via frequency divider 100. The oscillatingsignal with a predetermined frequency is outputted from the clockterminals. Also, timer 101 is connected to the above initial parameterRAM 76. This timer 101 counts the maximum response waiting time from aninstance that an enquiry signal "ENQ" or other command signals is sentfrom the terminal 41 side to the the card 11 side, according to theanswer-to-reset data as sent from the IC card 11 and stored in initialparameter RAM 76. During this waiting time, if some kind of responsesignal is not received from the card 11 side, main controller 77 againdirects the transmission of the above ENQ or other command signal, ordirects via reader/writer controller 80 that reader/writer mechanismunit 102 be disconnected from card 11. It is assumed that the cardreceiving section 42a is included in the reader/writer mechanism unit102.

System control line 77a of main controller 77 is connected to comparatorunit 81, decryption arithmetic unit 82, latch circuit 83, andinput/output controller 86. According to the operation status of thesystem, control commands are sent to every circuit unit from maincontroller 77. Display drive controller 78 controls display section 44and back light 44a constructed with EL elements provided on the rearside of display section 44. This back light 44a lights only when IC card11 is inserted into the read/write mechanism 44. Key controller 79provides a key sampling signal to keyboard 43, and detects the key inputsignal. Then, reader/writer controller 80 controls the operation ofreader/writer mechanism unit 102. This reader/writer mechanism unit 102is provided with a card conveying motor, which conveys card 11 from cardinsertion slot 42 to a specified location, and after completion of thegiven processing, returns card 11 to card insertion slot 42. This unit102 is further connected to output buffer 88, reset controller 103, Ipplevel latch 94, operation frequency selector 98, and Vpp power supply104. The terminals corresponding to these units, I/O, Reset, Vpp, clock,and Vcc are set at high impedance only when IC card 11 is not inserted.In this case, when IC 11 card is inserted, first the supplying of powersupply voltage is begun by Vcc power supply 104. At the start of thisvoltage supply, if an abnormal current with a value above a certainlevel flows, a card reject signal is output to reader/writer mechanismunit 102 from I_(CC) limiter 105. The above terminals I/O, Reset, Vpp,clock, and Vcc are all connected to the contact probe 41 of cardreceiving unit 41, as shown in FIG. 3.

Output controller 87, which is connected to input terminals I/O viainput controller 90 and output buffer 88, controls the transfer of databetween card terminal 41 and IC card 11, according to the commandreceived from main controller 77 via initial parameter RAM 76. The inputcontroller 90 outputs the data from IC card 11 via input buffer 89 tomemory device units, such as working RAM 73. Output controller 87 sendsthe data received from the memory device of terminal attribute ROM 75 tothe IC card 11 side via output buffer 88. Data input from the IC card 11via input buffer 89 is sent to comparator 81 via the bus line, and theoutput of that comparator is supplied to main controller 77. Further,the above output controller 87 sends the decryption data as receivedfrom encrypting arithmetic unit 82, to IC card 11 via output buffer 88.Encrypting arithmetic unit 82 encrypts the data (PAN) from working RAM73 via system bus 71, according to the public key code received from IPK(Issuer's public key) ROM 106 as data ROM. The public key code whichcorresponds to the PRK stored in data memory 65 of IC card 11, isalready written into IPK ROM 106. In response to a command from maincontroller 77, this memory code is outputted.

"CA" latched in latch circuit 83 is inputted to encrypting arithmeticunit 84 and decrypting arithmetic unit 85. Given data is inputted toencrypting arithmetic unit 84 via system bus 71. "PAN" stored in workingRAM 73 is encrypted, with the key of "CA", in response to the commandfrom main controller 77, and outputted to input/output controller 86.The data base, i.e. the encrypted data is output to the host computer,when it is connected in on-line manner. This input/output controller 86outputs the data base, in other words, data which is encrypted when thehost computer is on line, to the host computer. Input/output controller86 decrypts the crypted data from the host computer according to the CAby decrypting arithmetic unit 85, and outputs it to system bus 71.

[Operation of an Embodiment of this Invention]

The operation of the IC card terminal device thus arranged will beexplained.

First, as shown in FIG. 1 above the IC card 11 is manufactured andissued, and the PIN of the user has been registered. For purchasinggoods from a store with this IC card, the user inserts the card into acard terminal 41, as shown in FIG. 2. A processing operation based onthe flowchart of FIG. 5 is started.

Card Insertion

In the description to follow, IC card is a credit card. In case the cardholder (customer) is making a shop purchase, he first inserts the cardinto the card insertion slot 42 of the card terminal 41 installed in theshop's counter. In step S1 in the flowchart, card terminal 41 determinesif IC card 11 is reliably inserted into card receiving section 42a inFIG. 2A. This determination is made by main controller 77 throughreader/writer mechanism unit 102 and reader/writer controller 80. Instep S1, the answer is YES, that is, the insertion detector unit 42b ofcard receiving section 42a operates. After the completion of theinsertion of IC card is verified, the control goes to step S2. In stepS2, if the answer is YES, the card lock rod L1 of card receiving section42a is turned in the direction of arrow "a" and card lock/detector 42coperates, and it is checked if the inserted card is locked or not.Following the check, the control proceeds to step S3. In step S3, it isdetermined if connector unit 11a of IC card 11, which has been insertedand locked, is properly connected to contact probe 41a of the terminalside or not. In this step S3, the answer is YES, contact load L2 of cardreceiving unit 42a turns in the direction indicated by the arrow "b",card connection detector 42d operates, and when the connection completestatus of IC card 11 is verified, the control moves to step S4.

Card Connection Status Detection

After the card is set to terminal 41, and its internal circuit isconnected to that of the terminal, first of all, Vcc power supply 104produces a test voltage (much lower than a normal voltage for theinitial setting given later), and supplies it to IC card 11. Then, instep S4, it is determined if an overcurrent flows in the power supply byIcc limiter 105 of the terminal 41 side. Here, if the answer is NO, thatis, the current flowing in the above Icc limiter 105 does not exceed apredetermined value, and the connection status of IC card 11 is verifiedto be proper, then the control goes to the steps following the nextinitialize reset.

In step S4, if the answer is YES, it is detected that the value of thecurrent supplied to Icc limiter 105 exceeds the predetermined value, andit is verified that the connection status of IC card 11 is not stable.Then, Icc limiter 105 supplies a card reject command signal toreader/writer mechanism unit 102. Upon receipt of this, reader/writermechanism unit 102 performs the noncontact operation. The card lock iscancelled, and IC card 11 is flipped by a plunger (not shown) andrejected from terminal 41. Then, in steps S1 to S3, the setting statusof card 11 to terminal 41 is observed. If a proper connection of IC card11 in step S4 is again not obtained, the proceeding to the stepsfollowing the next step is prohibited. The prevention of the supplyingof an operation signal in the unstable connection state of IC card 11 isaccomplished. Further, undesirable effects from the bad connections ofthe card circuits are prevented.

Initial Processing in Step S5

Through the card setting and connection status detection processes, if astable connection state is obtained, a predetermined initializingsignal, as shown in step A1 of FIG. 6A, is sent from card terminal 41 toIC card 11. This initialization signal, under control of main controller77, sets the input/output terminal I/O to H (high) level, reset terminalfrom L (low) to H level, the Vcc and Vpp terminals each to 5 V, and theclock terminal clock to 4.9152 MHz. This initialization signal is sentto the card 11 side, and received by way of the corresponding terminals,I/O, Reset, Vpp, Vcc and clock terminals. Then, in step B2, IC cardstarts under operation conditions based on the initialization signal.

Answer to Reset Process of Step S6

In step B3, IC card 11 having started the initial operation in this way,under the control of system controller 56, reads out the answer to resetdata already stored in data ROM 52, and sends it from I/O terminal tothe terminal 41 side via system bus 51, output buffer 61, and outputcontroller 62.

In this case, if it is determined by main controller 77 that theanswer-to-reset data sent from terminal 41 to card 11 has been read intoinitial parameter RAM 76, main controller 77 distributes and sets thisanswer-to-reset data into each corresponding circuit, as operatingconditions setting data. The operating frequency setting data for ICcard 11 is set in operating frequency selector 98. The write voltagesetting data for data memory 65 and the maximum tolerable write currentsetting data are set in Vpp level latch unit 92 and Ipp level latch unit94. The setting data for the maximum data transmission capacity for card11 is set in main controller 77 itself, and the response signal waitingtime setting data is set in timer 101. The voltage application time datais set in Vpp timer latch unit 93. Therefore, the maximum datatransmission capacity controlled by main controller 77, the data writevoltage determined by Vpp power supply 95, the data write continuousapplication time determined by Vpp timer 96, the data write tolerablecurrent determined by Ipp limiter 97, and the card operating frequencydetermined by operation frequency selector 98, are set to the values asspecified by the operating conditions dedicatedly for card 11 now set,on the basis of the answer-to-reset data written in initial parameterRAM 76.

The contents of the answer-to-reset stored in data ROM 52 and thedetails of the operation of the answer-to-reset will be described withreference to FIGS. 7 through 16.

FIG. 7 shows the overall configuration of the answer-to-reset datastored in data ROM 52. In the figure, the operation condition data forIC card 11 are expressed by with interface bytes TA1, TB1, TC1, TA2,TB2, and TC2. The presence or not of these condition data is expressedby format byte TO. TD1 indicates the presence or not of the conditiondata succeeding to data TA2. Initial byte TS is the initialization datawhen these condition data are transferred. Complimentary bytes T1, T2, .. . , and TK are used when the condition data of this card 11 isincreased. The initial byte TS, format byte TO, and the interface bytehave each the 8-bit data format. FIG. 8 illustrates the code contents ofinitial byte TS. Of the eight bits codes a through h, a, b, and c arefixed code bits, d indicates the use/nonuse of parity, e the levelattribute, f the transfer direction order of the data, and g and h theparity attribute. FIG. 9 shows the code contents of format byte TO shownin FIG. 7. Bits a, b, c, and d indicate the number of complimentarybytes T1, . . . , T2, and TK, e the presence/absence of conditionsetting data in interface byte TA1, f the presence/absence of interfacebyte TB1, g the presence/absence of byte TC1, h the presence/absence ofbyte TD1, viz. this bit indicates the presence/absence of any conditionsetting data after interface byte TA2. FIG. 10 shows the interface byteTA1 in the above FIG. 7. Of this 8-bit code, a, b, c, and d form the bitarea for setting the data transfer rate of card 11, and e, f, g, and hform the bit area for setting the operation frequency of card 11. FIG.11 shows the interface byte TB1 shown in FIG. 7. In this 8-bit code, athrough e form the bit area which sets the data write voltage for thiscard 11. This voltage can be set in the range of Vpp=5 V to 25 V,depending on the type of card used. Bits f, g and h form the bit areawhich sets the tolerable current value of the data write current of datamemory 65. The current can be set in the range of Ipp=50 mA to 100 mAdepending on the type of the card. In this embodiment, the value of Ippis set to either 50 mA or 100 mA; however, the specified current valuecan be set to an optional point within this range. FIG. 12 shows theinterface byte TC1. Of this 8-bit code, all of the bits a to h form thearea for setting the data transfer guard time of this card 11. FIG. 13shows the interface byte TDn. In this 8-bit code, the bits a through dare nonuse bits, and the bits e, f, g, and h show the presence/absenceof condition setting data in bytes TAn1, TBn1, TCn1, and TDn1,respectively. FIG. 14 shows the interface byte TA2 of FIG. 7. In this8-bit code, all 8 bits form area for setting the maximum tolerable datatransfer capacity for this card 11. Depending on the read-in capabilityof the card, it can be set within a range of 1 to 255 bytes. FIG. 15shows the interface byte TB2, as shown in FIG. 7. In this 8-bit code,all 8 bits form an area which sets the response signal waiting time ofthis card 11. Depending on the data processing capability of the card,this time can be set from 100 to 25,500 ms. FIG. 16 shows the interfacebyte TC2. In this 8-bit code, all the bits a through h form an area forsetting the maximum continuous application time of the data writevoltage Vpp of this card 11, and depending on the data writecapabilities or the dielectric properties of the card used, can be setto 100 to 25,500 ms.

As described above, the answer-to-reset data, composed of initial byteTS, format byte TO, interface bytes TA1, TB1, TC1, TD1, TA2, and TK, arereceived in the standby mode by the terminal 41 side. In this case, itis determined in step A2 if the answer-to-reset data was received withinthe data standby time (100 ms for instance) initially set or not. Instep A3, if the answer is YES, and main controller 77 determines thatthe answer-to-reset data has been written into initial parameter RAM 76via I/O terminal, input controller 90, input buffer 89, and system bus71, the control moves to step A4 and main controller 77 furtherdetermines if the data written in initial parameter RAM 76 correctlycorresponds to this terminal 41. When the answer to step S4 isdetermined to be NO, the control goes to step S5, and main controller 77distributes and sets in all the interface bytes in initial parameter RAM76 to each corresponding circuit, as operation condition setting data,In other words, the operation frequency setting data for IC card 11which corresponds to interface byte TA1, is set into operation frequencyselector 98 via data transfer line 76. Also, the write voltage data andmaximum tolerable write current setting data for data memory 65, whichcorrespond to interface byte TB1, are set respectively into Vpp levellatch unit 92 and Ipp level latch unit 94. Then, the maximum datatransmission capacity data for IC card 11 corresponding to interfacebyte TA2, is set into main controller 77 itself, and the response signalwaiting time setting data corresponding to TB2, is set into timer 101.In this case, the predetermined data waiting time as set in timer 101 instep A2 is re-written into an inherent waiting time for the IC cardpresently connected. Further, the write voltage application time settingdata for data memory 65, which corresponds to interface byte TC2, is setinto Vpp timer latch unit 93. Due to this, the maximum data transfercapacity controlled by main controller 77, the data write voltagedetermined by Vpp power supply 95, the data write voltage continuousapplication time determined by Vpp timer 96, the data write tolerablecurrent determined by Ipp limiter 97, and the card operation frequencydetermined by operation frequency selector 98, are all set into thevalues corresponding to the operating conditions specific to card 11, onthe basis of the answer-to-reset data written into initial parameter RAM76. As a result, even if the operation conditions of data write voltageVpp and its continuous application time, the tolerable current Ipp ordata write capability, or response capabilities differ with each card,if card 11 has the data transfer function of the answer-to-reset dataand the terminal 41 has the reset function of the condition data,conditions for cards of every kind of performance can be set.

If an answer NO is obtained in step A3 or in step A4, the control goesto step A6, and it is determined if the decision NO has occurred morethan 3 times or not. In this case, the number of times of this NOdetermination has occured is recorded in the counter area of working RAM73, and the value of this count data is checked by main controller 77,to perform the decision in step A6. In case an answer NO is determinedin step A6, the control goes to step A1 and the initial data is sent toIC card 11. In step A6, if the answer YES is given, that is, it isdetermined that the answer-to-reset data generated from card 11 does notcorrespond to this terminal 41, main controller 77 sends a controlcommand to reader/writer controller 80. Then, the plunger inreader/writer mechanism section 102 is pulled to release the card frombeing locked, and the IC card is discharged resulting in disconnectionof the card and the terminal. Therefore, if the IC card is notcompatible with this system or if it is impossible to set the operatingconditions, in step A6, the system is disconnected from card 11. Troublecan be prevented from occurring.

Selecting Processing

In step A5, after completion of setting an initial parameter in card 11as set to the terminal, the control proceeds to the step S7 of FIG. 5,i.e. step S7 shown in FIG. 6B. Main controller 77 takes out "ENQ" code,that is, the code for enquiring if the card 11 in the other party isnormally operated under operating conditions as set in step A5, fromprogram ROM 74. The code is then transferred to IC card 11 by way ofsystem bus 71, output controller 87, output buffer 88 and I/O terminal.Card 11 receives the "ENQ" signal from the I/O terminal, throughcontroller 60 and input buffer 59, and writes it into working RAM 56(step B4). In this case, in step B5, input controller 60 performs theparity check of "ENQ" signal. If the answer in this step is YESindicating that the parity check of the input signal is OK, the controlproceeds to step B6. In step B6, system controller 56 checks if the"ENQ" code written into working RAM 55 can be accepted as the normal"ENQ" code. In this step, if the answer is YES, that is, it isdetermined that the "ENQ" code can be accepted as the normal one in thenormal operating condition, the control goes to step B7. On the basis ofthe decision that this card 11 is placed in the normal operatingcondition under the setting condition at terminal 41, system controller56 takes out "ACK" code from system program ROM 54, and transfers it toterminal 41 via output buffer 61, output controller 62, and the I/Oterminal. In step B5 or B6, if the answer is NO, the control advances tostep B8. In this step, the controller 56 determines that this card 11does not operate normally under the conditions as set by terminal 41, ordetermines that there is some trouble in the transmission path betweenterminal 41 and card 11. On the basis of such determination, systemcontroller 56 reads out "NAC" code from system program ROM 54, andtransmits it to terminal 41 via output buffer 61, output controller 62and the I/O terminal.

Upon receipt of this, terminal 41 receives "ACK" signal or "NAC" signalas sent from card 11 via the I/O terminal, in the standby mode in stepA8. In this case, in step A9, it is determined if the signals "ACK" or"NAC" is received in the response wait time of 150 ms, for example, ofIC card 11 a set in timer 101 in step A5. In step A9, the answer of YESis given. In other words, the main controller 77 decides that the signalof "ACK" or "NAC" is written into working RAM 73 through I/O terminal,input controller 90, input buffer 89, and system bus 71, within the waittime of IC card 11 as set in timer 101. Then, step A10 is executed. Inthis step, main controller 77 decides that the data as written intoworking RAM 73 is proper, that is, corresponds to this terminal 41. Ifthe answer of this step is YES, the next step A11 is executed. In thisstep, main controller 77 decides if the code as written into working RAM73 is "ACK" or not. If the step A11 gives the answer of YES, that is tosay, if the signal from card 11 as received in step A8 is "ACK", andcard 11 normally operates under each operating condition as set in stepA5, the decision is made that the transmission path between terminal andcard is normal. The control flows to step A12. In this step, maincontroller 77 reads out the terminal code TC from terminal attribute ROM75. The terminal code TC is different with the type of the terminal. Theread out terminal code TC is latched in output buffer 88. The controlleris set in standby state for the attribute exchange processing in thenext step.

In step A9, A10 or A11, if the answer of NO is given, the controlproceeds to step A13. In this step, it is determined if the number ofthe answers of NO reaches three times. The number of the NO answers instep A9, A10 or A11 is stored in the count data area of working RAM 73.This count data is checked by main controller 77, to make the decisionof step A13. In step A13, if the answer is NO, the step A7 is executedagain to send the "ENQ" code to IC card 11. In step A13, if the answeris YES, main controller 77 sends a control command to read/writecontroller 58, to drive the plunger in reader/writer mechanism 102, toput out IC card 11 and to electrically disconnect it from the terminal.The answer YES in step A13 means that the signal sent from card 11 donot correspond to terminal 41, or that the signal sent from card 11 isthe "NAC" signal, and IC card 11 does not operate normally underoperating conditions as set in step A5, or that some trouble occurs inthe transmission path between the terminal and the card. In this way,after setting of the initial parameter in step A5, if the IC card set tothis terminal 41 will not operate normally, the decision is made thatthe card improperly corresponds to the terminal or that transmissionpath trouble occurs. Then, the card 11 is disconnected from theterminal. The trouble occurrence can be prevented beforehand.

Attribute Exchange Processing

Next, the processing of the attribute exchange shown in step S8 of FIG.5, or FIG. 6C will be explained.

First, as explained in step A14, terminal 41 transfers the terminal codeTC as latched and set into output buffer 88 in step A12, to the card 11side via the I/O terminal. In this case, terminal code TC is placed in aformat as shown in FIG. 17, and transferred. The card 11 side, in stepB9, receives the terminal code TC via input controller 60 and inputbuffer 59, and stores it in working RAM 55. In step B10, inputcontroller 60 performs a parity check on the transfer signalincorporating the terminal code TC, and determines if the data contentsare correct or not. If the answer is YES, in other words if the paritycheck is determined as OK, the control moves to step B11. In this step,system controller 56 takes out the application name (APN), which isstored in application RAM 53 and varies with the type of card, andlatches it into output buffer 61, and the control goes to the next step.Then, in step B12, the application name APN which was latched intooutput buffer 61 in step B11, is transferred to the terminal 41 side viaoutput controller 62 and the I/O terminal. In this case, applicationname APN is arranged in a format such as that shown in FIG. 18, and istransferred as a card classification code. This name area is composed of12 bytes, including the expansion byte (2 byte). Again, at the time oftransfer of this code APN, the card status data ST stored in data memory65 is transferred to the terminal 41 side via read/write controller 58and card status buffer 66, as the card classification code. In the abovestep B10, if the answer is NO, the control moves to step B13, systemcontroller 56, based on the "read-in impossible" decision, takes out the"NAC" code from system program ROM 54, and sends it to the terminal 41side via output buffer 61, output controller 62, and the I/O terminal.In step B10, data is checked by using the parity check system. Thecompatibility of the IC card and the terminal may also be checked bycomparing the terminal code TC and the application name code whichrepresents the attribute of the card. When answer is NO in step B10, thecontrol goes to step B13 and "NAC" code is outputted.

Then, the terminal 41 side, in step A15, receives the cardclassification code and "NAC" signal that was sent from the card 11 sidevia the I/O terminal, and stores it in working RAM 73. Then, the controlgoes to step A16, and main controller 77 determines if the data writteninto working RAM 73 corresponds properly to this terminal 41 or not. Ifthe answer in step A16 is YES, the control goes to step A17, maincontroller 77 determines if the data written in working RAM 73 is "NAC"or not. If, in step A17, the answer is NO, that is to say, if the datasent from the card 11 side is not "NAC", and it is determined that it isa card classification code including APN and card status data ST, andthe control assumes a card classification decision flow shown in stepsS18 and A19.

On the other hand, if NO in step A16, or YES in step A17 is obtained,the control goes to step A20, and it is determined if the number ofoccurrences of NO in step A16 and YES in step A17 exceeds apredetermined number or not (for example, n=2). In this case, the numberof occurrences of the above NO and YES answers is recorded in the formof count data of working RAM 73, and the decision in Step A20 isaccomplished by check of these count data values by main controller 77.Then, if the determination in step A20 is NO, the control returns tostep A14, and the transfer of terminal code TC to IC card 11 isperformed. If the answer in step A20 is YES, if it is determined thatthe contents of the signal as sent the card 11 side do not correspond tothis terminal 41, or if the signal sent from the card 11 side is an"NAC" signal, and terminal code TC is determined to be "impossible toreceive", main controller 77, by sending a control command toreader/writer controller 80, drives the plunger of reader/writermechanism unit 102 to reject IC card 11 and disconnect it. Because ofthis, even in case the data transfer of terminal code TC and the cardclassification code cannot be done properly, at the step following thestart of normal operation by the initial parameter settings of theterminal 41 side, the connection between the card terminal and theunsuitable card 11 is broken, and trouble is prevented beforehand.

Application Name Discrimination Processing

Next, the card classification decision operation of steps A18 and A19will be explained.

FIG. 19 shows the above card classification decision operation indetail. First of all, in step B12, the card classification code,application name APN, that was sent from the card 11 side and stored inworking RAM 73, is taken out by the main controller 77 in step A19a, andit is determined if its application classification corresponds to thatof the application name APN already stored in terminal attribute ROM 75or not. Here, assuming that terminal code TC of this terminal 41 is amerchant code, that application name APN is, for example, "abc bankcounter installation", and that the application name APN of the cardclassification code sent from the card 11 side is, for example, "savingswithdrawals and deposits of the cd branch of abc bank", in step A19,both application names are judged to be the same, and the control movesto the data transfer processing following step A21. In step A21, basedon the decision in step A19a that the classification of the currentlyconnected card 11 corresponds to that of this terminal 41, and for thefirst time, a regular command is taken out of system program ROM 74, andtransferred to the card 11 side. On the other hand, in case theapplication name of the card classification code sent to the terminal 41side in step B12 is, for example, "xy trust company general purchasecard", the card classification in step A19a is determined not to be thesame, and card rejection processing is implemented. In step A22, basedon the decision that the classifications of the currently connected ICcard 11 and this terminal 41 are not the same, main controller 77, bysending a control command to reader/writer controller 80, drives theplunger of reader/writer mechanism 102 to reject the IC card 11 anddisconnect it. At the same time, it sends a control command to displaydrive controller 78, which causes a "wrong type" message to be displayedby display unit 44. In this embodiment, the application name APN isprestored in terminal attribute ROM 75, but, as an alternative, theapplication name APN can be written into working RAM 55 by inserting astarting card after the terminal power is turned on. As mentioned above,when the intended purpose of IC card 11 does not agree with theclassification of terminal 41, due to the fact that the actual datatransfer was not performed, the trouble caused by terminal misuse isprevented beforehand.

Command Code Discrimination Processing

The terminal command discriminating operation in which following thecard classification discrimination operation, a command code is sentfrom the terminal 41 side to the card 11 side, and actual data transferprocessing is performed, will be described.

FIG. 20 shows the terminal command verification operation in detail.First, in step A14, the terminal code TC already sent from the terminal41 side and stored in working RAM 55 of IC card 11, and the command code(COM) sent in step A21 of FIG. 19 (the data exchange start step), arearithmetically processed according to a specified formula in step B14.Then, the arithmetically processed terminal code TC' and its commandcode (COM'), are comparatively judged, to determine if they have aproperly corresponding relationship or not in step B15. If the terminalcommand code (COM') which was sent in step A21 is, for example, thecomparison/verification command (PIN Compare) of the personalidentification number, terminal command code agreement (TC=PIN Compare)is determined. If the terminal command code is, for example, the writecommand of the personal identification number (PIN Write), it isdetermined in step B15 to be a terminal command code disagreement (TC'is not equal to PIN Write'). In other words, the results of thecomparative judgement of the terminal code TC' and its command codeCOM', in step B15, conform with a terminal code and command code chart,as shown in FIG 21. The coincidence decision is given only when thecommands that should be present (shown by a circle) for each terminalare sent to the card side. When commands that should not be present aresent, the non-coincidence decision is given. In step B15, if thecoincidence decision between the terminal code TC'0 and command codeCOM' is given, the control moves to step B16. According to the commandcode whose conformance to terminal 41 has been identified, (in thiscase, the personal identification comparison/verification command), thepersonal identification number keyed in from the terminal 41 and the PINstored in the data memory of card 11 are compared by comparator 63.Then, if the above PINs coincide, the data transfer exchange processingoperation of the cash transaction is performed. On the other hand, if instep B15, the terminal code TC' and the command code are determined tobe noncoincident, and the control moves to step B17. System controller56 informs terminal 41 of the fact that command code as sent in step A21is an error code which does not correspond to terminal code TC. Further,it locks system program ROM 54 or data memory 65, to prevent theincorrect reading out of data from the incorrect writing into the systemprogram ROM 54. Therefore, if terminal 41 is modified with intention ofimproper use of card 11, it is impossible to execute the correctcommands. Therefore, an IC card system with a high security factor canbe realized.

Registration and Check of Card Status

The registration of the card status in the IC card system will bedescribed.

FIG. 22 shows a flowchart for illustrating registration and check ofcard status. In step A101, at the time that manufacturing of IC card 11is completed, the manufacturing end status is written into data memory65 of IC card 11 at card manufacturing terminal 12 as shown in FIG. 1,for example. Following the end of the card manufacturing step, thecontrol goes to the card issuing step. In this stage, if IC card 11 isset to card issue terminal 11, the terminal 22 reads in the status dataST in the data memory 65 of card 11, in step A102. In this step, it isdetermined if the manufacturing end status is present or not. If thedetermination is YES, a predetermined card is issued and step A103 isexecuted. This step is executed to write the issuing end status into thedata memory 65 in card 11, by card issuing terminal 22. After the end ofcard issuing, the control advances to the PIN registration step. When ICcard is set to PIN registration user terminal 32, terminal 32 reads in,in step A104, the status data ST in the data memory 65 of card 11, anddetermines if the issuing end status is present or not. If the answer inthe step is YES, the control advances to step A105, following the end ofa predetermined PIN registration step. The PIN registration status iswritten into the data memory 65 of card 11 by means of user terminal 32.After the end of PIN registration, the shop use step is executed inwhich IC card 11 is set to shop terminal 41 as shown in FIG. 2, forexample, and terminal 41 in step A106 reads in the status data in thedata memory 65 of card 11, to check whether the PIN registration statusis present or not. In this step A106, if the answer of YES is given,step A107 is executed to allow purchasing of goods in shop. FIG. 23illustrates the card contents of card status data ST as stored in thememory 65 of IC card 11. In the 8-bit cord, small b indicates a bitrepresenting the manufacturing end status written into in step A101. cis a bit indicating the PIN registration status written into in stepA105. d is a bit representative of the issuing end status written intoin step A103. The status data ST further contains a bit representing amistaken entry of the verification number as made continuously threetimes, which is associated with the bit a. The bit f is associated witha bit representing that there is no a write item area for the writecommand from terminal 41. The bit h is associated with a bitrepresenting a card invalid state. Bits e and g are not used.

In steps A102 to A104, if the answer is NO, step A108 is executed. Theanswer N means that the manufacture step end status is not written intodata memory 65 of IC card 11 when the control goes to the card issuancestep, or "1" is raised in the bit area b in FIG. 23, or the issuing orissuance end status is not yet written into the data memory 65 in thePIN registration step, or "1" is raised in the bit area d in FIG. 23. Inthe step A108, it is determined that the step which should have beenended is not yet ended, that is, decision is made of a "possibility ofmisuse". On the basis of this decision, flag is set in flag area 64 ofIC card 11. The system controller 56 is made substantially impossible.With this, the card is made invalid. In step A106, it is assumed thatthe answer is NO. In this case, in the store use step, the PINregistration status is not written into data memory 65 of IC card, viz."1" is set in the bit area c in FIG. 23. Therefore, the terminal 41 inthe store fails to identify the card holder using the PIN, and he or shecannot purchase goods. Then, the registration of PIN in the PINregistration step is required. In such a case, however, as describedabove referring to FIG. 1, for registering PIN by user terminal 32, theIPIN mailed from the issuer to the user is required for the PIN writekey code. Therefore, if the IC card is stolen, the registration of PINis absolutely rejected. In this way, the misuse is made impossible. If aperson attempts to misuse an IC card which has not been subjected to thenormal card manufacture, issuance, and PIN registration, the card statusdata ST in the data memory 65 of the card checks such IC card, to guardagainst card theft. Further, if the bit areas a, f, and h in FIG. 23 areappropriately displayed by the terminal during actual card use, mistakenkey-in operation of PIN is reduced.

As seen from the foregoing, with such an arrangement of the IC cardsystem, in the sequence of the steps B3 - A2 - A5 in FIG. 6(A), theanswer-to-data stored in data ROM 52 of card 11 is sent to terminal 41,and stored in initial parameter RAM 76. On the basis of the conditionsetting data as stored in RAM 76, the operating conditions in the cardare variably set, thereby to enhance the compatibility of the IC cardswith the card terminals.

[Effects of the Invention]

As seen from the foregoing, according to this invention, the datarepresenting the capability and function of the IC card, per se, isstored in the card. In setting the card to the terminal, the operatingconditions inside the terminal are variably set according to the datafrom the card. Therefore, the compatibility of the IC card with theterminal is improved. In this respect, the IC card system of thisinvention allows a variety of IC cards to be adaptable to a variety ofterminals. Thus, a flexible IC card system can be provided.

What is claimed is:
 1. An IC card system having an IC card and a cardterminal used in combination with the IC card, comprising:first datastoring means for storing data representing the capability of thehardware of the IC card per se; means for electrically connecting the ICcard to the card terminal; means for sending an initializing signal tothe IC card responsive to the insertion of the IC card to the cardterminal; means for sending said data as stored in the IC card to thecard terminal, in response to the initializing signal from the cardterminal; second data storing means for storing the data as sent fromthe IC card in the card terminal; and means for variably setting theinternal operating conditions of the card terminal corresponding to thedata stored therein.
 2. The IC card system according to claim 1, whereinsaid IC card includes a connection terminal; and said card terminalincludes a card insertion slot into which the IC card with theconnection terminal is inserted, a contact probe for making anelectrical connection with the connection terminal of the inserted ICcard, means for detecting a connection state between the connectionterminal of the IC card and said contact probe, and means for supplyingan operating signal including said initializing signal to said IC cardvia said contact probe when said connection state detecting meansdetects the connection to said IC card.
 3. The IC card system accordingto claim 1, wherein said IC card includes third data storing means forstoring at least secret data; and the data sent from said IC card to thecard terminal includes the data for setting the data write voltage tosaid third data storing means and its write current tolerable value. 4.The IC card system according to claim 3, wherein said first data storingmeans further stores the data for setting a continuous applying time ofsaid data write voltage to said third data storing means, and saidoperating condition variably setting means includes a power supplysection for generating data write voltage for the set continuous timeduration.
 5. The IC card system according to claim 1, wherein said firstdata storing means stores the data for setting a maximum datatransmission capacity as determined by the data write capability of saidIC card, and said operating condition variably setting means containsmeans for controlling when data is transmitted from the card terminal tothe IC card, the data transmission capacity on the basis of said datafor setting the maximum data transmission capacity.
 6. The IC cardsystem according to claim 1, wherein said first data storing meansstores the data for setting a signal response time as determined by thedata processing capability of said IC card, and said operating conditionvariably setting means includes means for setting a waiting time of theresponse signal from an instance that the card terminal transmits asignal, means for determining if the response signal from said IC cardis received within the set waiting time when the signal is transmittedfrom the card terminal to the IC card, and means for electricallydisconnecting the card terminal and the IC card when the signal is notreceived within said waiting time.
 7. The IC card system according toclaim 2, wherein said contact probe includes a plurality of contactswhich is maintained in a high impedance state, until a connection statebetween the IC card and the contact probe is detected by said connectionstate detecting means.
 8. Method for initializing an IC card and a cardterminal used in combination with the IC card, comprising the stepsof:(a) inserting the IC card into the card terminal; (b) electricallyconnecting said IC card and said card terminal in response to theinsertion of said IC card into said card terminal; (c) applying aninitializing signal to the IC card to said card terminal upon thecompletion of said electrical connection for initializing said IC card;(d) sending forth data representing the capability of the hardware ofthe IC card and stored in said IC card to the card terminal; and (e)storing the sent data in the card terminal received from said IC cardfor setting an internal operational condition of the card terminalaccording to the stored data.
 9. The IC card system according to claim8, wherein the electrical connection between the IC card and the cardterminal as in the step (b) is performed by the connection terminal ofthe IC card and the contact probe of the card terminal.
 10. The IC cardsystem according to claim 9, wherein said data representing thecapability of the IC card as in the step (d) is selected from at leastdata representing a data write voltage and data representing a datawrite current tolerable value, the data being stored in a secret datastoring memory of the IC card.
 11. The IC card system according to claim10, wherein said data representing the capability of the IC card as inthe step (d) is data for setting the continuous application time of saiddata write voltage.
 12. The IC card system according to claim 9, whereinsaid data representing the capability of the IC card as in the step (d)is data for setting maximum data transmission capacity as determined bythe data write capability of said IC card.
 13. The IC card systemaccording to claim 9, wherein said data representing the capability ofthe IC card as in the step (d) is data for setting a signal responsetime as determined by the data processing capability of said IC card.